Search results matching tags 'El Paso County Attorney's Office' and 'Deceptive Business'

Remodeler Sentenced To Jail For Engaging In Deceptive Business Practices

edominguez — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:10:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the sentencing of a 48-year-old East El Paso resident accused of engaging in Deceptive Business Practices.

On March 13, 2013, Adrian Zamarripa, owner of “A to Z Remodeling”, pled guilty in three Deceptive Business Practice cases before County Court at Law #4 Judge Alex Gonzalez. Zamarripa was sentenced to 18 months in jail and a $10,000 fine.

The first case involved a victim who paid the Defendant over $100,000 in advance to remodel his home, but the work was never finished. Since some services were delivered, it was determined that the amount of restitution due was just over $75,000. The Defendant repaid the victim $20,500, but thereafter failed to make any additional payments. After pleading guilty in this case, Zamarripa was sentenced to 365 days in jail and a $4,000 fine.

In the second case, the victim paid Zamarripa more than $18,000 to remodel her home; however, the job was never completed. In this case Judge Gonzalez sentenced Zamarripa to 365 days in jail and a $4,000 fine.

In the third case, the victim paid the Defendant $5,000 to remodel her home and, again, failed to do so. In this case Zamarripa was sentenced to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Zamarripa won’t begin serving this sentence until he completes the first two sentences.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal expressed her satisfaction on the outcome of the case. “As a prosecutor, one of my priorities has always been to obtain as much restitution as possible for the victims of deceptive merchants. However, this is not always possible. The victims in these cases will never recover in full their hard-earned money, but at least they got some justice through the court system,” Bernal said. Bernal explained that this case illustrates how difficult it is to recover money for victims of unscrupulous merchants. “Consumers interested in remodeling their homes need to investigate the reputation of the contractors and be very cautious when paying money up front. We recommend the public not pay the complete amount of the contract until after the job is finished, and the homeowner is satisfied with the quality of the work,” Bernal concluded. In addition to the Better Business Bureau, residents interested in investigating the background of a prospective contractor can look up their criminal and civil case histories by visiting the County’s website at www.epcounty.com/records.

Residents who might have fallen victims of fraud or deceptive business practices are asked to contact the Criminal Section of the County Attorney's Office at 546-2050.

Zamarripa Remodeler Sentenced Press Release.pdf

Unscrupulous Remodeler Receives Time In Jail For Engaging In Deceptive Practices

edominguez — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:24:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the sentencing of an El Paso resident accused of engaging in Deceptive Business Practices.

On February 26, 2013, 35-year-old Jesus Cruz pled guilty to one count of committing a Deceptive Business Practice, a crime punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $4,000. In addition, Cruz admitted to violating the terms of probation in another Deceptive Business Practice case.

In the new case, the victim paid Cruz $4,000 in advance to remodel his home. The State alleged that the repairs were never delivered. In the older case, Cruz was placed on probation and ordered to pay the homeowner more than $800, but even then failed to do so. In both cases, the Court sentenced the Defendant to 300 days in jail.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal expressed her satisfaction on the outcome of the case.

"My office tries to protect El Paso consumers from unscrupulous contractors and con-artists. This case is another example of a legal resource available to bring justice to the victims of El Paso County," Bernal said.

The El Paso County Attorney's Office recommends residents who are planning on doing renovations or improvements to their homes, to do some homework before hiring anyone. It is highly recommended to first check the contractor's references and business record with the Better Business Bureau and with our office.

Homeowners can also look up the criminal and civil case histories of prospective contractors on the County's website at www.epcounty.com/records.

The El Paso County Attorney's Office warns consumers against paying out large down payments and only if necessary, scheduling ‘progress payments'- periodic payments made only after designated portions of work have been successfully completed.

"Consumers must be very cautious when paying money up front. Once the consumer has given money to an unscrupulous contractor, it is very difficult for us to get the money back even after the Defendant has pled guilty and been placed on probation," Bernal said.

"We recommend the public not pay the complete amount of the contract until after the job is finished, and the homeowner is satisfied with the quality of the work," Bernal concluded.

Residents who might have fallen victims of fraud or deceptive business practices are asked to contact the Criminal Section of the County Attorney's Office at 546-2050.

# # #

Cruz Remodeler Sentenced Press Release.pdf

El Paso County Attorney To Offer Services to Northeast Residents

edominguez — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:35:00 GMT

On Friday, December 2, 2011, El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal will hold an Open House for its new office in Northeast El Paso.

The opening of this new office is part of a plan by County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal to provide free services at locations that are closer and more accessible to victims of crime who live in the outlying areas of the County.

WHO: El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal

WHAT: Grand Opening of new office in Northeast El Paso

WHEN: Friday December 2, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: El Paso County Northeast Annex

4641 Cohen St., Suite D (County Veterans Assistance Office)

NE Office Grand Opening Press Advisory.pdf

Lower Valley Ballroom Administrators Arrested For Deceptive Business Practices

edominguez — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:48:00 GMT

Today El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal announced the arrest of two individuals accused of shutting down their party hall business without notice after taking thousands of dollars in advance payments from unsuspecting consumers.

Mission Valley Ballroom administrator Donna Cortez Flores and ballroom's manager Ricardo Espinoza were arrested today by County Attorney's investigators. Flores was arrested around 9:15 a.m. at a residence in East El Paso. Espinoza was detained at his current place of employment in central El Paso.

Police reports indicate that from September, 2008, and up until January 2011, the defendants received more than $98,000 from 36 residents who paid them in advance to hold events at the Mission Valley Ballroom scheduled for 2011. After closing the ballroom at the beginning of this year, the defendants are alleged to have failed to return the money to the victims.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal explained "a business owner who takes money in advance, receives that money in trust. If they choose to violate that trust, the law holds them accountable."

"We allege these defendants violated the law and that trust," Bernal concluded.

El Paso County Attorney's Office filed criminal charges in relation to 6 of the victims, and continues investigating the cases for the remaining 30 victims. Additional arrests are likely.

45 year-old Donna Cortez Flores faces six counts of Deceptive Business Practices, a crime of dishonesty punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $4,000. She was booked in the County jail shortly after 10:00 a.m. and her bond was set at $1,800.

45-year-old Ricardo Espinoza faces five counts of Deceptive Business Practices, and his bond was set at $2,500.

Residents who believe they might be victims of this or any other similar case, are asked to contact the Criminal Section of the County Attorney's Office, at 546-2050.

# # #

Canadian Citizen Featured On El Paso’s Most Wanted In October Sentenced For Deceptive Business

edominguez — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:12:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the sentencing of a Canadian citizen accused of committing Deceptive Business Practices in El Paso.

This morning, 71-year-old Gordan Gladu received a 331 day sentence after pleading guilty to two Deceptive Business Practice cases, crimes involving fraud and deceit punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $4,000.

Between March and October, 2010, Gladu, who was doing business as G & G Services," received more than $8,000 from 2 victims to install new windows, but the windows were never delivered.

After accepting the guilty plea this morning, County Criminal Court at Law #1 Judge Alma Trejo sentenced Gladu to 300 days in jail in one case (which involved almost $8,000), and to 31 days in jail in the second case.

Shortly after appearing in Crime Stoppers of El Paso Most Wanted list on October 11, 2010, Gladu was arrested. At the time of his arrest, Gladu was on probation for Theft of Property of more than $20,000 but less than $100,000.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said this case should serve as a warning to contractors who seek to deceive the public. Bernal further advises consumers to be cautious when hiring contractors, landscapers, or other businesses that ask for money in advance, or make promises of huge savings.

"Mr. Gladu has a long criminal history and continued to cheat consumers even after being placed on probation. Consumers need to remember that if they pay for work in advance it is very difficult to get their hard-earned money back if the work is never delivered," Bernal said.

# # #

Most Wanted Sentencing Press Release.pdf

County Attorney Investigators Locate Man Accused Of Writing More Than One Hundred Hot Checks

edominguez — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:57:00 GMT

Dozens of local merchants scammed out of thousands of dollars.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the arrest of a Horizon City resident accused of scamming dozens of local merchants and landlords out of thousands of dollars.

Forty eight year-old Michael Nowell was arrested yesterday evening on 8 open warrants on charges that range from felony theft, theft by check, and failure to appear in court.

Up until yesterday, Nowell had been arrested twice before on charges of theft by check. On both occasions, the defendant bonded out of jail and never showed up for his court dates. Nowell was able to keep avoiding arrest by constantly moving to different residences, and in the meantime, handing out dozens of insufficient funds checks to landlords, moving service companies, furniture stores, and even a carpeting company.

According to complaints filed with police, Nowell would often wear scrubs, a stethoscope and claim he was a medical doctor to convince his victims of extending him credit or to accept his checks.

As of today's date, the County Attorney's Office has received 102 complaints of insufficient funds checks against the defendant. The checks total more than $14,500.

The County Attorney's Office has also learned that the Pima County Attorney's Office has several open warrants against Nowell for handing out hot checks to 7 different landlords.

Michael Nowell is currently in the El Paso County jail and his bond has been set at $36,000. The County Attorney is requesting individuals who might have additional complaints against the defendant, to file a report as soon as possible with the El Paso Police Department or the Sheriff's Office.

"The County Attorney's Office investigators worked vigorously during several weeks to locate and arrest Mr. Nowell. This case illustrates the level of commitment my office has to combat fraud in our community and to help local merchants who are victims of hot check writers," El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said.

# # #

Michael Nowell

Con-Artist Arrested Press Release.pdf

Remodeler Receives Enhanced Punishment For Engaging In Deceptive Practices

edominguez — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:49:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the sentencing of an El Paso resident accused of engaging in Deceptive Business Practices.

On August 6, 2010, 31-year-old Jesus Piña pled guilty to one count of committing a Deceptive Business Practice, a crime of dishonesty punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $4,000. However, Piña will serve 2 years in prison because the County Attorney's Office presented evidence that Piña is a habitual offender.

The County Attorney's Office requested County Court at Law #7 Judge Robert Anchondo to run Mr. Piña's sentence consecutively with another one year sentence that was imposed the same day on another Deceptive Business case.

In order to obtain the enhanced punishment, Assistant County Attorney Arne Schonberger demonstrated in court that, since 1999, Piña has accumulated 11 convictions for engaging in various felonies and misdemeanors.

It was presented to the Court that Piña would receive from victims thousands of dollars in upfront payments for construction jobs he never finished. The Court ordered restitution of $4,800 and $9,000 on the two cases today. Upon completion of his sentence, Mr. Piña is scheduled to be surrendered to immigration authorities for possible deportation.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal expressed her satisfaction on the outcome of the case.

"My office takes our responsibility of protecting El Paso consumers from unscrupulous contractors and con-artists very seriously. This case is another example of my office's willingness to consider every available legal resource to bring justice to the victims," Bernal said.

"If you are planning on doing renovations or improvements to your home, do your homework before hiring anyone. It is highly recommended that you first check the contractor's references and business record with the Better Business Bureau and with our office," Bernal added.

Homeowners can also look up on the County's website at www.epcounty.com/records the criminal and civil case histories of prospective contractors.

"In addition to researching your contractor, it is important to lay out when monies will be paid. Consumers must be very cautious when paying money up front. Once the consumer has given money to an unscrupulous contractor, it is very difficult for us to get it back. This is why we recommend the public not pay the complete amount of the contract until after the job is finished, and the homeowner is satisfied with the quality of the work," Bernal concluded.

The El Paso County Attorney's Office warns consumers against paying out large down payments and only if necessary, scheduling ‘progress payments' -periodic payments made only after designated portions of work have been satisfactory completed.

Residents who might have fallen victims of fraud or deceptive business practices are asked to contact the Criminal Section of the County Attorney's Office at 546-2050.

# # #

Pina Sentence Press Release.pdf

Landscaper Accused Of Defrauding Two Homeowners Sentenced To One Year In Prison (Jesus Chavez)

edominguez — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:22:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the sentencing of a Horizon City landscaper accused of Deceptive Business Practices.

This afternoon 46-year-old Jesús Chávez received the maximum sentence possible after pleading guilty to two counts of committing a Deceptive Business Practice, a crime of dishonesty punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $4,000.

According to court records, between October 19 and October 24, 2007 Chávez received $6,800 to landscape the front and back of an East El Paso home, but the work was never completed.

Between August and September of the same year, on another unrelated incident, an Upper Valley resident gave Chávez more than $8,500 to landscape the front of his house, but just as in the previous case, the job was never completed.

After accepting the guilty plea, County Court at Law #2 Judge Julie González sentenced Chávez to 365 days in jail for each count, to run concurrently.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said the harsh sentence should send a message to dishonest contractors who prey on unsuspecting consumers. These businesses often promise huge financial savings to the consumer who ultimately ends up with nothing.

"These cases should also warn consumers about the dangers of paying for work in advance, because if the work is never completed, it is very difficult to get their hard-earned money back," Bernal concluded.

# # #

Chavez Sentence Press Release.pdf

Tornillo Resident Sentenced For Deceptive Sale Of Horses

edominguez — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:20:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the sentencing of a resident of Tornillo accused of Deceptive Business Practices.

This morning 38-year-old Pedro Buentello pled guilty to 1 count of committing a Deceptive Business Practice, a crime of dishonesty punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $4,000.

According to the police complaint, on September 11, 2008 Buentello offered to sell the victim 45 horses for $2,850. A handwritten contract was signed and the victim paid Buentello $1,400, but the horses were never delivered and the money was never returned.

After accepting the guilty plea, County Court at Law #1 visiting Judge John L. Fashing sentenced Buentello to 300 days in jail.

"The County Attorney's Office is committed to protect consumers from unscrupulous salesmen who prey on unsuspecting and trusting citizens of this community," said El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal.

# # #

Deceptive Sale of Horses Press Release.pdf

Contractor Sentenced For Deceptive Business Practices (De Campo)

edominguez — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:15:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the sentencing of an East-side remodeler accused of Deceptive Business Practices.

This morning 33-year-old Maiam De Campo received the maximum possible sentence after pleading guilty to 1 count of committing a Deceptive Business Practice, a crime of dishonesty punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $4,000.

According to the police complaint, on April 28, 2007 De Campo charged an east-side home owner almost $5,200 to remodel a bathroom, however the job was never done.

After accepting the guilty plea, County Court at Law #7 Judge Thomas Spieczny sentenced De Campo to 365 days in jail.

Additionally, De Campo pled guilty to a Class "A" Theft by Check charge after writing insufficient funds checks to two employees of his business "Maiam's Title and Construction." Those payroll checks were cashed by a local business that suffered the loss. De Campo was sentenced to a second 365 day concurrent sentence for the theft by checks.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said this maximum sentence of one year in jail should serve as a message to others to deliver what they promise in the market place."

"Consumers and businesses alike suffer the loss of fraud." said Jo Anne Bernal.

"Our office prosecutes individuals who defraud merchants with bad checks and fraudulently take money from consumers," Bernal finalized.

Remodeler Sentenced Press Release.pdf

# # #